A study published in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment shows that microdosed psilocybin may be an effective anti-inflammatory intervention for mental health and chronic inflammatory conditions.
Dried psilocybin mushrooms.
“The incidence of mental health disorders is increasing worldwide”, notes the study’s abstract. “While there are multiple factors contributing to this problem, neuroinflammation underlies a significant subset of psychiatric conditions, particularly major depressive and anxiety disorders.”
Anti-inflammatory interventions “have demonstrated benefit in these conditions”. Psilocin, the active ingredient of certain psychedelic mushrooms, is “both a potent serotonin agonist and anti-inflammatory agent, increases neuroplasticity, and decreases overactivity in the default mode network.”
Researchers go on to say that “Studies using hallucinogenic doses of psilocin under the supervision of a therapist/guide have consistently demonstrated benefits to individuals with depression and end-of-life anxiety. Microdosing psilocybin in sub-hallucinogenic doses has also demonstrated benefit in mood disorders, and may offer a safe, less expensive, and more available alternative to full doses of psilocybin for mood disorders, as well as for other medical conditions in which inflammation is the principal pathophysiology.
The study concludes:
Microdosed psilocybin represents a novel and inexpensive anti-inflammatory intervention targeting peripheral- and neuroinflammation without immune suppression. Additionally, psilocybin has potent serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutaminergic properties, enhances neuroplasticity, and regulates over-activity in the DMN. While it is unclear how well microdosing psilocybin parallels the mental health benefits of full dose psilocybin, it is also possible that microdosing conveys more sustained benefits than single “journeys.” Future research should include not only the impact of microdosed psilocybin on neuropsychiatric conditions, but also its effect on autoimmune diseases and other chronic illnesses associated with inflammation. While its safety in short-term trials has been well documented, future research is also needed to analyze its safety with long-term use.
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